affairs
Growing Up and Letting Go
"I'll explain it when you grow up …" "Don't be in such a hurry to grow up." "I wish you would just grow up!" These timeworn phrases follow you throughout life — sometimes encouraging you, sometimes frustrating you. As you enter your adult years, or as you watch your children pass through this gateway into adulthood, knowing how to recognize the time for independence is crucial to a healthy parent-child relationship.
Responsibilities increase during the post-adolescent years (approximately late teens to mid-20s). During this time, young adults face many life changes — going to college, getting married, becoming parents, purchasing a car and establishing a home. Though grown children often seek parental guidance, financial help and emotional support during this tumultuous yet exciting time, they also expect (and may demand) independence. The fine line between helping your child and holding their hand must be navigated.
One of the best ways to make this transition smooth is to plan ahead and prepare for some major changes and challenges — whether you're releasing your child, or being released by your parents. Just a few of the situations you or your grown child might face include:
- Establishing identity
- Balancing priorities
- Loneliness
- Financial struggles
- Dating/finding a mate
- Relationship struggles
- Searching for a career
- Developing political views
- Dealing with conflict at work or school
- Feeling social pressure to "fit in"
This is just a partial list but it offers a small taste of things to come. A functional relationship with parents, strengthened by open, honest communication, provides a great base for making the move from child to adult. More than likely, as illustrated in the familiar analogy of a baby learning to walk, your child will take some nasty spills — be it debt, marital problems, an unplanned pregnancy or difficulty in school or on the job. This is a time of great freedom, great responsibility and, hopefully, of establishing love and respect that will last through your — and their — lives.
Background Information
The Truth About Emotional Affairs
At work and online, crossing the line from platonic friendship to emotional infidelity happens at an alarming rate.
An All-Too-Common Affair
Why do so many people get trapped in affairs?
Danger Signs of an Affair
Though affairs are often unpredictable, there are recognizable symptoms of a troubled marriage.
Questions and Answers
My marriage seems beyond repair to me. My husband is running around with other women and threatening to divorce me. Is there really any hope for us?
Answer
Is cybersex "cheating"?
Answer
My husband has been having an affair for the past three months. Should I just throw my arms open and pretend the affair never happened?
Answer
Review Frequently Asked Questions
Stories
Reconcilable Differences
What's the secret to bringing a relationship back from the brink of divorce?
If you've been through a experience related to this topic, we invite you to share your story with others.Share Your Story
Other Things to Consider
A Perfect Love
After a divorce, some amount of healing can occur through community support and learning to change certain behaviors. But complete healing can only come from the one who created us.
The Freedom in Forgiveness
Sometimes the comfort of holding a grudge can blind us to the relief of letting it go.
Special Situations
Even in cases of adultery, abuse and addictions, divorce isn't always the solution.
Forgiveness: What it is and What it Isn't
Understanding and granting forgiveness can help you move past the pain of divorce.
Where is God in the Midst of All My Troubles?
So many cry out to Him in times of need, but is God really listening? And, more important, does He care?
Related Topics
Love & Sex: Dating, Living Together
Transitions: Getting Married
Abuse & Addictions: Pornography and Cybersex, Physical and Verbal Abuse
